The Department of Tourism is inviting eligible South African students to apply for its External Bursaries for the 2026 academic year. The bursary supports study in selected fields (listed below) and is awarded for the remainder of the approved study period, subject to annual renewal based on academic performance.
At a glance
- Sponsor/host: National Department of Tourism (South Africa)
- Fields/level: Diploma / Degree / Honours / Masters (MSc / MTech) in selected fields (see “Fields of study”)
- Who it’s for: South African students studying at a recognised institution who meet the programme requirements and can submit the required documents
- Closing date: 13 March 2026
- How to apply: Submit the completed application form and supporting documents by email, post, or hand delivery
About the sponsor
The Department of Tourism is a national government department responsible for tourism policy, development, and sector support in South Africa.
Fields of study
The Department lists the following required study fields for the 2026 external bursary intake:
- Construction Management
- Digital Transformation
- Business Analytics
- Graphic Design / Communications Science / Communication Design / Strategic Communication
- Computer Science / Information Technology / Software Development
- Law
- Data Sciences / Data Analytics
- Development Studies
- Economics
- Facility Management / Property Management and Development
- Forensic Auditing / Internal Auditing / Information Systems Auditing
- Humanities (Social Sciences)
- Information and Knowledge Management
- Industrial / Organisational Psychology
- Management Services / Operations Management / Work Study / Organisational Development
- Risk Management
- Statistics
What it covers
The Department states that the bursary is awarded for the remainder of the approved study period and may be renewed annually, subject to satisfactory academic performance. The exact approved costs/allowances are not detailed on the bursary page—confirm the final support package in the bursary contract/award conditions if you are selected.
Eligibility and requirements
- You must submit a fully completed Department of Tourism External Bursary Application Form.
- The form notes it is not for Department of Tourism staff members.
- You must be able to provide certified supporting documents, including proof of registration at a recognised institution and proof of parents/guardian income (or affidavit if unemployed).
Documents to prepare
Prepare clear, certified copies of the following (as listed in the official application form):
- South African ID document
- Certification of qualifications
- Recent academic records / transcripts
- Confirmation of registration (if already registered with an institution of higher learning)
- Family income proof (if parents are employed) or affidavit (if parents are unemployed)
- Admission letter
- Research proposal (applicable to Honours and Masters)
- Motivational letter (as required on the bursary page)
Closing date
Closing date: 13 March 2026. Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting after 13 March 2026.
- Missing certified copies of ID, transcripts, and qualifications.
- Not including proof of registration (or proof you can register) at a recognised institution.
- Omitting income proof/affidavit and a motivation letter.
- Applying for a field that is not listed under the required study fields.
How this bursary was verified
This opportunity was verified using the Department of Tourism’s official bursaries page and the official External Bursary Application Form PDF hosted on the tourism.gov.za domain (links below).
How to apply
- Download the official application form (or collect it from the Department of Tourism reception).
- Complete the form in full (use block letters where required).
- Attach all required supporting documents.
- Submit your application by email, post, or hand delivery as per the instructions below.
Email submissions: Bursary2026@tourism.gov.za
Hand delivery: Tourism House, 17 Trevenna Street, Sunnyside, 0002
Postal submissions: Tourism House, Private Bag X424, Pretoria, 0001